Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a pioneering technique that enhances stem cells to produce significantly more mitochondria, potentially offering a breakthrough in combating aging and degenerative diseases. This innovative method, involving microscopic, flower-shaped particles known as nanoflowers, allows energized stem cells to rejuvenate neighboring weakened cells by transferring their excess mitochondria.
The study, published on November 27, 2025, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, presents a novel approach to restoring cellular energy, which diminishes as a result of aging or damage from diseases like Alzheimer’s or chemotherapy. The research team, led by Dr. Akhilesh K. Gaharwar and Ph.D. student John Soukar, aims to address a critical challenge in regenerative medicine by enhancing the body’s natural mitochondrial replenishment processes.
Restoring Energy with Mitochondrial Transfers
Mitochondria, the cell’s energy-producing organelles, decline in number with age or injury, leading to diminished cellular function. The Texas A&M researchers found that when stem cells are treated with nanoflower particles, they begin producing around double the usual count of mitochondria. When these augmented stem cells interact with damaged cells, they transfer their surplus mitochondria, enabling the recipient cells to recover their energy production and functionality.
“This process is akin to equipping an old device with a new battery pack,” Gaharwar explained. “By facilitating the transfer of mitochondria from healthy to weaker cells, we can revitalize aging or damaged tissues without resorting to genetic modification or pharmaceuticals.” This transfer mechanism significantly enhances the efficiency of mitochondrial sharing, with treated stem cells transferring two to four times more mitochondria than untreated counterparts.
Long-Lasting Therapeutic Potential
Current mitochondrial therapies often involve drug-based strategies that require frequent administration due to their rapid clearance from cells. In contrast, the larger nanoflower particles, measuring around 100 nanometers in diameter, remain within the cells longer, thereby providing a sustained stimulation of mitochondrial production. This could potentially reduce treatment frequency to once a month.
“This research marks an exciting step towards utilizing the body’s own mechanisms to recharge aging tissues,” said Gaharwar. “If we can effectively harness this power-sharing system, we may one day slow or even reverse cellular aging effects.”
The nanoflowers themselves are composed of molybdenum disulfide, a compound that offers unique two-dimensional structures conducive to biomedical applications. The Gaharwar Lab is among a select group exploring the use of this material for therapeutic purposes, particularly in enhancing the efficacy of stem cells for tissue repair and regeneration.
The approach is versatile and could be adapted for various tissues across the body. “Our technique can be applied to treat a wide range of conditions,” Soukar noted. “For example, stem cells could be injected directly into the heart for cardiomyopathy or into muscles for muscular dystrophy.”
The project received substantial funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Welch Foundation, the Department of Defense, and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Additional support came from the President’s Excellence Fund at Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M Health Science Center Seedling Grant. Collaborative efforts also included contributions from researchers Dr. Irtisha Singh, Dr. Vishal Gohil, and Dr. Feng Zhao.
As this research progresses, further studies will be necessary to confirm the efficacy and safety of the nanoflower-enhanced stem cells. If successful, this innovative technique could represent a significant advancement in the treatment of age-related cellular decline and various degenerative diseases, fundamentally altering the landscape of regenerative medicine.
